STUDENTS WITH EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL DISORDER
(EBD)
Definition of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
No consistent and educational definition of emotional and behavioral disorders for
the following reasons (Heward, 2003)
1. Disorder behavior is social construct. There is no clear agreement as to the
criteria and parameters of normal adaptive behavior and good mental health.
2. Different theories on emotional disturbance use concepts and terminology that
do not present a clear meaning of the condition.
3. Measuring and interpreting disordered behavior across time and setting is
difficult, exact and costly endeavor.
4. Cultural influence, expectation and norms across ethnic and cultural groups are
often quite different.
5. Frequency and intensity of disordered behavior is difficult to measure and
control in view of the fact that children behave inappropriately at times.
6. Disordered behavior sometimes occurs in conjunction with other disabilities
such as mental retardation and learning disabilities.
Three factors considered in determining if a child is emotionally
disturbed (US Department of Education):
1. Intensity- refers to the severity of the child’s problem
2. Pattern- means the time when the problem occurs
3. Duration- refers to the length of time the child’s problem has been present
(Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 1997): defined as
problems such as behavior inappropriate to the circumstances or pervasive unhappy
moods, that adversely affect a child's education performance and cannot be explained
by intellectual, sensory, or health factors
- a condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long
period of time (chronicity), and to marked degree (severity), which adversely
affects educational performance (difficulty in school)
Other terms to describe this disorder:
Emotional Disturbance **Mental Illness
Social Maladjustment ** Emotional Handicap
Behavioral Disorder
, Serious Emotional Disturbance
Emotional Disorders
Variations in Human Behavior are Influenced by the Basic
Determinants of Personality Development:
1. the person’s genetic background or heredity
2. environmental factors
3. the general patterning of development
Adaptive and Maladaptive Behavior
Adaptive Behavior- refers to a person’s behavior patterns that have
desirable consequences and foster his or her well-being and ultimately that of the
group. The term well-being means that the person works towards growth,
fulfillment and actualization of his or her potentials
Maladaptive Behavior- results to negative and undesirable consequences
and interferes with the person’s optimal functioning and growth. The use of the
term maladaptive rather than abnormal puts the focus on the behavior rather
than the person thereby implying the possibility for improvement. Maladaptive
behavior includes any behavior that has undesirable consequences for the
individual as well as for the group. Behavior problems, emotional and
behavioral disorders are manifestations of maladaptive behavior.
Two Types of Emotional Behavior Disorder:
1) Internalizing Behavior Disorder is characterized by shyness, withdrawal, or
depression.
*Fearful, anxious, apathetic, sad, or overly self-conscious or self-criticizing
towards oneself
*Avoids group participation
*May seem preoccupied and inattentive often
2) Externalizing Behavior Disorder is usually quite noticeable and involves a
variety of characteristics such as:
*Demanding of teacher’s attention
*Disobeys, disruptive, openly defiant
*Illegal or self-destructive behavior, such as lying, theft, or drug use
*Aggressive towards other students and school property
*****Conduct Disorderis a branch of Externalizing Behavior Disorder, being more
severe in its characteristics. It is described as a “destructive pattern of antisocial behavior
that violates the rights of others”
*Aggressive, physical fights with teachers and other students
*Little regard for rules: repeatedly disobeying rules
*Without serious intervention, child may develop a life of crime
More General Characteristics:
· arouse negative feelings and induce negative behaviors in others
· not popular with peers
· not leaders of peers
· typically experience academic failure
· social rejection or alienation
(EBD)
Definition of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
No consistent and educational definition of emotional and behavioral disorders for
the following reasons (Heward, 2003)
1. Disorder behavior is social construct. There is no clear agreement as to the
criteria and parameters of normal adaptive behavior and good mental health.
2. Different theories on emotional disturbance use concepts and terminology that
do not present a clear meaning of the condition.
3. Measuring and interpreting disordered behavior across time and setting is
difficult, exact and costly endeavor.
4. Cultural influence, expectation and norms across ethnic and cultural groups are
often quite different.
5. Frequency and intensity of disordered behavior is difficult to measure and
control in view of the fact that children behave inappropriately at times.
6. Disordered behavior sometimes occurs in conjunction with other disabilities
such as mental retardation and learning disabilities.
Three factors considered in determining if a child is emotionally
disturbed (US Department of Education):
1. Intensity- refers to the severity of the child’s problem
2. Pattern- means the time when the problem occurs
3. Duration- refers to the length of time the child’s problem has been present
(Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 1997): defined as
problems such as behavior inappropriate to the circumstances or pervasive unhappy
moods, that adversely affect a child's education performance and cannot be explained
by intellectual, sensory, or health factors
- a condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long
period of time (chronicity), and to marked degree (severity), which adversely
affects educational performance (difficulty in school)
Other terms to describe this disorder:
Emotional Disturbance **Mental Illness
Social Maladjustment ** Emotional Handicap
Behavioral Disorder
, Serious Emotional Disturbance
Emotional Disorders
Variations in Human Behavior are Influenced by the Basic
Determinants of Personality Development:
1. the person’s genetic background or heredity
2. environmental factors
3. the general patterning of development
Adaptive and Maladaptive Behavior
Adaptive Behavior- refers to a person’s behavior patterns that have
desirable consequences and foster his or her well-being and ultimately that of the
group. The term well-being means that the person works towards growth,
fulfillment and actualization of his or her potentials
Maladaptive Behavior- results to negative and undesirable consequences
and interferes with the person’s optimal functioning and growth. The use of the
term maladaptive rather than abnormal puts the focus on the behavior rather
than the person thereby implying the possibility for improvement. Maladaptive
behavior includes any behavior that has undesirable consequences for the
individual as well as for the group. Behavior problems, emotional and
behavioral disorders are manifestations of maladaptive behavior.
Two Types of Emotional Behavior Disorder:
1) Internalizing Behavior Disorder is characterized by shyness, withdrawal, or
depression.
*Fearful, anxious, apathetic, sad, or overly self-conscious or self-criticizing
towards oneself
*Avoids group participation
*May seem preoccupied and inattentive often
2) Externalizing Behavior Disorder is usually quite noticeable and involves a
variety of characteristics such as:
*Demanding of teacher’s attention
*Disobeys, disruptive, openly defiant
*Illegal or self-destructive behavior, such as lying, theft, or drug use
*Aggressive towards other students and school property
*****Conduct Disorderis a branch of Externalizing Behavior Disorder, being more
severe in its characteristics. It is described as a “destructive pattern of antisocial behavior
that violates the rights of others”
*Aggressive, physical fights with teachers and other students
*Little regard for rules: repeatedly disobeying rules
*Without serious intervention, child may develop a life of crime
More General Characteristics:
· arouse negative feelings and induce negative behaviors in others
· not popular with peers
· not leaders of peers
· typically experience academic failure
· social rejection or alienation
